Do the Harnett County Schools continue to have an organization that encourages young men and women to become teachers? In 1954 apparently the Future Teachers of America was quite popular and each school sent a student to the countywide meetings. Groups from each school met with other representatives at Campbell College where Lea Joy Johnson represented Coats and Sue Johnson of Coats presided over the county session (Daily Record Nov. 26, 1954).

Charles E. Stewart, boatswain’s mate 2nd Class, USN of Coats, N.C. was scheduled to return home aboard the attack aircraft, USS Philippines (Daily Record Nov. 29, 1954). Wonder if he had heard that Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Langdon had buried a child at the Coats Cemetery? Surviving in addition to her parents were paternal grandfather, Grover Cleveland Langdon and maternal grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. J. Townsley Davis of Lexington, N.C. Elsewhere in the Dunn area, Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Turlington announced the birth of a daughter, Janice Day. She was born at Good Hope Hospital (Daily Record Dec. 1, 1954).

Carlie and Mary Stevens announced the birth of a son at Good Hope Hospital and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Lee Daniels were parents of a daughter named Cleo. Miss Peggy Partin, bride-elect of December 19 was honored with a bridal shower. Mrs. McRay Stewart and Mrs. Floyd Stewart were co-hostesses of the seasonally decorated event in the Coats Community House (Daily Record Dec. 6, 1954).

Another young couple, Louis and Lenora Dupree, announced the birth of a son. What was his name and wonder if they were insurance clients of Lloyd Hall and J.D. Norris who offered all kinds of risk insurance to the citizens of the area? Mr. Hall, a native of Benson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hall of Coats, operated the office on the Erwin-Dunn Road. Mr. Hall had graduated from Coats High School and had spent two years in the U.S. Army in France, Italy and Germany during WWII. He was a staff sergeant and chief of section in the 339th Field Artillery Battalion. Mr. Hall was married to Agnes Ann Dixon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.P. Dixon of Coats.

I do know that Louis Dupree is a delightful and giving gentleman who often visited the museum. In fact, a call from him one day asked if we wanted a wood stove for our museum and all we had to do was go to Willow Spring with some strong men and a truck to transport it back to Coats. That old stove has resulted in hundreds of visitors sharing their stories about their specific memories of a wood stove in their families.

The calendar was warning parents that Christmas was quickly approaching. Ten year-old Waeford Pope wrote to Santa Claus that he wanted a pair of skates, a pair of bedroom shoes and a pair of gloves. Waeford wanted Santa to remember his teacher, Miss Louise Stewart, at Coats. Donald and Ronald Allen of Coats also believed that Santa could bring them a bicycle, gun and holster, and a pool table. They also wanted Santa to remember their teachers, Mrs. Dona Turlington and Mrs. Mary Jo Mann. Wonder if any of those items are on Santa’s list today.

I do know that Hack Johnson and his Tennesseans and the Glory Land Quartet featuring Booker T. Gentry and Spark Plug, along with Charlie Bailey played at the Coats High School. The Fellowship Club sponsored the event to pay for an activity bus for extra-curricular activities at the school (Daily Record Dec. 9, 1954).

Ray Brewer, 15 year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Brewer of Dunn, was awarded his rank of Eagle. Two young Coats men were called to the Selective Service Board induction center. The two young men were Theron Tyree Holiday and Ralph McDonald Denton. Herbert Wood of Coats needed hospital care at the Dunn Hospital. A tangled legal controversy perhaps involving thousands of children boiled up in the wake of a judge’s ruling that many “test tube babies’ are illegitimate. Judge Gorman in Chicago said that the mothers were adulteresses.

Little Josephine Woodall asked Santa for a wagon, a baby doll and a tea set. She also wanted Santa to bring her daddy home from the Army (Daily Record Dec. 14, 1954).

President Eisenhower told in a news conference that it would be necessary to postpone reduction of corporation and excise taxes next year in order to keep the American economy in balance. Little Susan Yarborough likely understood none of that political talk at her age but she did understand that Santa was always bringing good little boys and girls presents down the chimney at Christmas and she definitely did not want that wish postponed because she wanted a Dale Evans cowgirl suit and guns this year.

Miss Sallie Gordan, 85, of Route 2, Angier, had died at a boarding home. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Jane Dean Gordan. She had formerly lived with her nephew A.W. Slaughter (Daily Record Dec. 15, 1954).

The young ones in the Coats community continued to send letters to the North Pole. Jennifer and Timmy Pollard wrote to Santa sharing that Jennifer wanted a toy stove, a baby doll, and some fruit candy. Keith McLeod wanted a tractor and farm set and a wheelbarrow. He also wanted Santa Claus to bring his daddy home from the Army. Barry Joe Butts thought that he might like a Farmall Farm set, a wrecker, and a gun and holster. Wonder if these wishes came from advertisements in the catalogues or on television. Did all homes have television in 1954?

With only days before the Christmas dinner, markets were selling turkeys for 53 cents per pound and bread dressing for 28 cent per bag (Daily Record Dec. 21, 1954).

Remember Jackie Gleason? He received 11 million dollars to produce and star in half hour shows for three years. Linda Ruth Barefoot got her letter to Santa in just the nick of time. She wanted a baby doll and Larry wanted his sister to tell Santa that he wanted a cowboy suit with guns and holster (Daily Record Dec. 22, 1954).

Mr. and Mrs. Graham Young Turlington announced the arrival of David Kent at Good Hope Hospital. Another classmate for Kent arrived at the Good Hope Hospital when Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Grimes welcomed a son, Randy Mike. Mr. and Mrs. Alvis Glenn Denning also had a newborn, David, at their house (Daily Record Dec. 23, 1954).

The news for the year 1954 is coming to a close but not before we read that 371 people died on the highways during the holidays (Daily Record Dec. 27, 1954). The final news was that President Eisenhower asked for higher pay for servicemen and the price of a stamp went up to four cents (Daily Record Dec. 29, 1954).

Speaking of servicemen, we continue to encourage our Grove Township post WWII veterans and active military members to pick up a form for the November 14th event at the Heritage Square. We will be able to better prepare for our “Defenders of the Red, White and Blue” event if we have an approximate headcount. Forms are at the museum, Cornerstone and Coats Barber Shop and will be in local churches soon.

What a joy it was to give tours to the Buies Creek Book Club and SALT (Senior Adults Living Triumphantly) from Mt. Zion Church of Garner last Tuesday, the 15th. Among the group from Mt. Zion was the daughter of Sherrill Willis who was killed in Vietnam. She will stand in for her dad as we recognize video and honor the service of our military heroes during the Saturday afternoon event on the square.

The volunteers at the Coats Museum could not welcome visitors from far and near nor could we sponsor events where we gather additional history of our area and its people were it not for the support we get from our community. We are so fortunate to have dedicated board members. We welcomed four new members last Saturday-Ralph Denning and Paul Parker. Hilda Pope and Mayor Walter Weeks returned to the board. They join Patsy Avery, Eddie Vaughan, Lynda Butler, David Barnes, Kent Langdon, Teresa Honeycutt and Sandra Howard. Officers are H.L. Sorrell (Chair), Andy Cole (Vice Chair), Becky Adams (Sec.), Robie Butler (Treas.) and Ted Penny (Past Chair).